Pantries for an Organized Kitchen

Get smart with storage. 16 pantry ideas to get your kitchen in order.

Related To:

Hachette_01-B-Line-Spinny-cabinet

B-Line Spinny Cabinet, 49" x 29", $990; ModLivin.com

B-Line Spinny Cabinet, 49" x 29", $990; ModLivin.com

Written by Carla Jordan

To clear up a clutter conundrum, you have to start with the hub of the household—the kitchen. And if you are looking to make any upgrade, a pantry is just the thing to get your kitchen on track. According to a recent “Home of the Future” study by the National Association of Home Builders, 94% of designers, builders and other industry experts surveyed rated a walk-in pantry as a critical amenity in high-end homes. But built-ins aren’t the only way to get organized. Reach-in, freestanding, portable, swing-out, wall-mount, pull-out—modern day pantries come in all shapes, sizes and styles. Pantries can even be created by mixing repurposed furniture, mobile decorative drawers and storage accessories that can also lend a sense of customization.

So clear off the cluttered counters, un-stuff the cabinets and rediscover the pantry with this gallery of designs.

Pantry Types: Stepped-Up Storage

This Italian mini pantry-on-wheels has 12 easy-to-reach plastic drawers that stack and swivel around a steel post. Slide one beneath the other to fit into a skinny space.

Storage Comes Out of the Closet

Hachette_04-Container-Store-elfa-Gourmet-Pantry

elfa Reach-in Pantry, 16" x 98" x 8', $802.70; ContainerStore.com

elfa Reach-in Pantry, 16" x 98" x 8', $802.70; ContainerStore.com

Affordable Custom Pantry

Many apartments have narrow kitchen closets that are floor-to-ceiling pantries just waiting to be converted using these adjustable epoxy-bonded steel shelves that can be configured around coordinating slide-out drawers that hold smaller items and linens.

Hachette_05-Container-Store-elfa-Reach-in-Pantry

elfa Reach-in Pantry, 16 x 8, $802.70; ContainerStore.com

elfa Reach-in Pantry, 16 x 8, $802.70; ContainerStore.com

Affordable Custom Pantry

Many apartments have narrow kitchen closets that are floor-to-ceiling pantries just waiting to be converted using these adjustable epoxy-bonded steel shelves that can be configured around coordinating slide-out drawers that hold smaller items and linens.

Waste Not, Want Not Storage

Retrieve lost space between appliances, cabinetry and walls with this high-style pantry tower.

Hachette_011-Ecopod-recycling-center-doors-closed

Ecopod Recycling System, 31" x 21" x 17", $348; Ecopod.org

Ecopod Recycling System, 31" x 21" x 17", $348; Ecopod.org

Essential Pantry Add-Ons: Eco Pantry Must-Have

The world's first recycling system compacts and stores plastic and aluminum beverage containers.

Hachette_012-Ecopod-recycling-center-doors-open

Ecopod Recycling System, 31" x 21" x 17", $348; Ecopod.org

Ecopod Recycling System, 31" x 21" x 17", $348; Ecopod.org

Eco Pantry Must-Have

This recycler is outfitted with internal bins for glass and other recyclables—all within a footprint so small that the unit will fit in even the tiniest pantry.

Hachette_013-Gaiam-Kitchen-Compost-Crock

Kitchen Compost Crock, $42; Gaiam.com

Kitchen Compost Crock, $42; Gaiam.com

Couture Compost

Finally, a composting crock handsome enough to keep on the counter within easy reach. Its fully glazed interior holds up to one gallon of kitchen scraps and the crock won't absorb or emit odors because it has an activated carbon filter in its lid.

Storage Worth Begging

For the 43 million households that own a dog, here's a discrete place to store Fido's food. Treats can be stacked on the sturdy wood top so all things canine are neatly corralled.

Hachette_015-Simplehuman-Upright-Bag-Holder

Upright Bag Holder, 11.4" x 4.9" x 12", $19.99; SimpleHuman.com

Upright Bag Holder, 11.4" x 4.9" x 12", $19.99; SimpleHuman.com

Organization in the Bag

No more grocery bags on the loose with this slim-shaped bag holder that fits on a pantry shelf and holds 50 plastic grocery bags for reuse.

Hachette_016-Stonewall-Kitchen-chicken-coop

Storage Coop, 15" x 35½" x 48¾", $499; StonewallKitchen.com

Storage Coop, 15" x 35½" x 48¾", $499; StonewallKitchen.com

Time-Tested Storage

Store veggies, fruits, cookbooks and other bulky items in this hardwood lacquered bin that's modeled after early American cabinets with its 12 spacious open compartments and bin label holders.